I recently caught this lady at a concert teamed up with Al Jarreau, and was impressed at how she held her own with the jazz great. Lo and behold, her own solo album didn’t let me down. First, she’s got her own unique voice which is kind of wistful, dainty and yet with an attractive porcelain delicacy to it. She makes it work well on this Decalogue of (mostly) originals, ranging from a sleek jazz piano trio on “Anyone Who Had A Heart” to funky and synthesized pieces such as “Win Your Love.” On the latter, as well as on “La Musica”, she can get quite feisty and celebrative while Nigel Martinez lays down some impressive work on drums, bass, keyboards and guitar. Some tasty guitar goes “wacka wooka” on the hip grooving and upbeat “The Fantasy” and the soulful title track mixes Mike Parlett’s sax with James’ bright and shiny vocals, treating her voice like a Miles Davis Harmon mute. She can also coo like Marylin McCoo on the smooth and relaxing “Out of Time” and deliver an uplifting sermonette on the inspiring “I Wanna Be Your Friend,” a tune that could easily become an modern day anthem. Check this lady out!